Investment Operations Analyst (Two-Year Term)

Cascade Asset Management Company • Kirkland, WA

9d • $85,000 - $105,000

About The Position

Cascade Asset Management Company (“Cascade”) is proud to protect and grow capital in service of Bill Gates and the Gates Foundation Trust in support of their mission-related and philanthropic activities. Mr. Gates and the Foundation Trust are committed to creating a world where every person has the opportunity to live a healthy, productive life.
Located in the Seattle area, Cascade applies its fundamental, long-horizon investment approach across asset classes and geographies, primarily through direct investing, as well as through a select group of funds and segregated accounts. Cascade offers the unique blend of being part of a team that manages a multi-billion-dollar portfolio while also working with professionals in a culture that values intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and respect.

Team Description
Investment Operations serves as a central hub within the organization, responsible for the timely and accurate processing of portfolio, security, and related entity transactions. Core responsibilities include trade confirmation and settlement, cash and position reconciliations, collateral management, corporate actions, asset safekeeping, security setup and maintenance, and relationship management with internal customers, prime brokers, futures clearing merchants, custodians, and other counterparties.
Position Description
Cascade is seeking exceptional candidates for a one-year opportunity on the Investment Operations team. The Analyst will support the day-to-day operations of a global, multi-billion-dollar investment portfolio spanning equities, derivatives, fixed income, private equity, and real assets. This role provides broad exposure across asset classes and operational processes. Upon successful completion of the two years, high-performing individuals may be considered for a full-time opportunity.

Requirements

• 2+ years of financial services or securities experience required, preferably within a middle or back-office investment operations role
• Undergraduate degree preferably in finance, accounting, economics or related field; CFA a plus
• Basic understanding of fixed income and equity markets, foreign exchange (FX), derivatives, and collateral management
• Ability to multitask and balances priorities against ambiguity in a fast-paced environment
• Possesses a keen eye for details, superlative accuracy, with a no-tolerance approach for data inaccuracy
• Driven by process efficiencies and system improvement; approaches day-to-day operational data optimization with passion
• Able to present ideas and plans clearly, using available resources, in order to foster understanding across a multitude of stakeholders at various seniority levels
• Applies statistical and graphical techniques to raw data to discover useful information. Clearly drafts documents, reports, and presentation materials
• Proficiency in Excel required
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with an empathic style, improving partnership and cross-group collaboration skills

Nice To Haves

• Expertise with SQL and VBA strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to learn new applications/systems quickly with previous Aladdin experience preferred
• Demonstrated understanding of the project management lifecycle

Responsibilities

• Ensure seamless confirmation and settlement of trade activities with counterparties and custodians, leveraging systems such as Blackrock’s Aladdin, CTM, Acadia, and other industry tools
• Validate, confirm, and instruct initial margin and variation margin (IM/VM) margin call activity related to bilateral and cleared over-the-counter (OTC) and exchange-traded-derivatives (ETD) positions
• Manage Prime Broker activity including validation of risk margin calculations and posting of sufficient collateral
• Ensure accuracy of cash and investment positions within the Investment Book of Record (IBOR)
• Setup and maintain critical reference data and asset information across all asset classes, including publics, privates, and derivatives
• Interface directly with the trading desk, legal, and other internal/external teams to facilitate issue resolution
• Complete timely new account and market request activities within internal and external systems
• Effectuate changes from corporate or class actions, validating, communicating, and processing updates to systems
• Mentor junior staff, facilitating operational excellence and helping foster a culture of continuous learning
• Identify and assess risks across the trade lifecycle and escalate accordingly to management
• Develop and implement training and educational materials for new hires on core responsibilities; participate in knowledge sharing and learning opportunities
• Support the definition, collection, and reporting of operational metrics tied to data quality and operational excellence
• Collaborate on critical initiatives, process improvement roadmaps, and innovative ideas to improve service delivery and standards
• Provide project support in collaboration with other teams

Benefits

• Cascade proudly supports our employees and their families with a comprehensive fully paid benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, long-term disability insurance, and a generous employer match to 401(k) retirement savings contributions.
• Employees are also eligible for 18 days of paid vacation each year for the first four years of employment, eight paid holidays, up to three floating holidays per year, up to 14 days of sick leave, and a generous paid parental and family leave program.
• Our benefits also include several employee wellness programs and mental health resources, a charitable giving match, and reimbursement for fitness, daycare, and/or commuter expenses.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level